When do you ask for LORs?

[snips44]

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Hi everyone, I've been bombarding SDN with my questions recently because I'm getting ready for an away elective in the US this winter (I'm a Foreign Student). SO, here it goes: Should I ask my attending for an LOR this winter, or should I wait until I apply for the match? I will still have one year of school left after my rotation...and then I will take the USMLE. SO I'll be applying for the match approx. 2 years after I do the actual away rotation.

I know that most people recommend asking for the LOR around teh time you are sending in your ERAS application materials, but how will the attending even remember who I am?

I personally would find it way more convenient to ask him/her for a letter while I am in the rotation this winter, but I don't know if this detracts from the credibility/effectiveness of the letter itself. Is there any limit as to how old the LOR should be? Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Winged Scapula]

LORs have to be submitted with your residency applications...either through ERAS or other system (depending on what you are applying for).

In general, most people ask for letters near the end of the rotation. Your performance is fresh in the mind of the writer and provides a truer accounting of your capabilities. If you wait until you apply for residency, in many cases, you will be waiting for letters, potentially delaying your application or its evaluation.

I am not aware of any moratorium on how old the letter can be; although I understand your concerns. It would be fairly simple enough to ask the letter writer to update their letter with a more recent date (and you could update them with your activities since you did your rotation.

ECFMG will serve as your Dean's office if your school will not; so they could always send an updated letter if you are worried about the letters being two years old.